Tune in and help Karen’s 24-hour charity show
TEACHING assistant Karen Levermore is swapping the classroom for the studio to take part in a sponsored 24-hour radio show.
The 40-year-old from Woodmancote, is taking to the airwaves to DJ non-stop on Radio Winchcombe from 6pm on Friday, August 23, to 6pm on Saturday, August 24.
She is raising money for two charities – Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity and Cheltenham Samaritans.
Karen chose the hospitals charity to say thank you for the care she has received over the years.
At the age of 31, she was diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis and had to be fitted with a stoma.
Despite recovering well, she went on to suffer from chronic exhaustion and pain caused by abscesses in her pelvis and had to undergo a further year of unsuccessful operations to ease the symptoms.
In 2016, she was given the news that the cause of her pain was her fallopian tubes which were badly diseased and was advised to have a full hysterectomy.
“I was told that I would benefit from having my womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes removed,” she said. “This came as a blow, for the joy of having a potential solution was hampered by the heartache of knowing that I’d never carry my own child.
“Throughout this and indeed so many of my other hospital stays, the staff at Prescott Ward
were there to help me see the sunshine out of a very disappointing situation.
“The hospital staff are so busy, and you don’t often get the chance to stop them and say thank you, so I wanted to do something for them.
“That is why I wanted to give something back and I decided to embark on a series of activities in a bid to raise £1,000.”
Karen is no stranger to the airwaves after volunteering with hospital radio in the past, but she admits she is still a little nervous about the length of time she will have to be in the hot seat.
“I’m not worried about the lack of sleep just making sure it all goes smoothly. My husband Rob will be helping on the night shift being my right-hand man when I need him.”
Those listening will be able to hear plenty of tunes chosen by Karen and her supporters as well as a live performance from a band.
“When I first started out, I thought it would take me a long time to reach my £1,000 target but thanks so many people’s generosity, we are not far off the full amount already,” she said.
You can listen to Karen on Radio Winchcombe on 107.1fm in the local area or at radiowinchcombe.co.uk
Anyone wishing to sponsor her, can visit: uk.virginmoneygiving. com/fundraiser-display/ showrofundraiserpage? userurl=karenlevermor e&pageurl=1
To find out more about the hospitals charity and its scanner appeal visit gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ charity/
I’m not worried about the lack of sleep just making sure it all goes smoothly. Karen Levermore